66 PPMAG.COMND8 filterThe neutral density is adjusted by turn-
ing the outer ring, which moves in both di-
rections, so it’s important that it’s mounted
securely to the lens. The outer ring rotation
is less than 90 degrees with an extreme-
ly smooth action, and I never had an issue
with the filter loosening.
PolarPro has done VND right. Unlike
some other VND filters I’ve tested, I found
no color shift when adjusting them through
their ranges, which I checked with a Spyder-
Checkr 24 target under controlled condi-
tions. There’s a slight shift in color temper-
ature and tint between filtered and unfil-
tered captures that is easily corrected in
post-production. There was no apparent loss
of sharpness between the captures without
the filters and those at any neutral density
attenuation.
Other VND filters allow you to rotate the
outer ring beyond the point of maximum
neutral density, causing banding and oth-
er artifacts that you are not likely to notice
until you download the images. Not so with
the PolarPros. The rotation angle is con-
trolled with hard stops on both ends so you
never have a problem.
And the PolarPro design has something
I’ve never come across before. The outer
ring is numbered from 2 to 5 on the one
VND and 6 to 9 on the other. Where other
manufacturers provide reference numbers
and a fixed mark, those on the PolarPro fil-
ters correspond well to the actual amount
of neutral density you’re dialing in. Bravo!
Even at the maximum ND9 setting, my
Nikkor f/2.8 lenses were easily able to focus,
although using live view simplified composi-
tion. You can always focus at the minimum
amount of density increase and then rotate
the outer ring to the neutral density desired.
A variable neutral density filter is an
important addition to any photographer’s
equipment kit, especially landscape pho-
tographers and videographers. It gives
control over aperture or shutter speed de-
pending on the situation and enables you
to carry only one filter rather than a set of
filters. The variable neutral density filters
from PolarPro are the best I’ve tested. •Stan Sholik is a photographer and writer
in San Clemente, California.No filterIMAGES ©STAN SHOLIKND3 filterTHE GOODS
PRO REVIEW